Anchorage assembly and method of using

ABSTRACT

An anchorage assembly including first and second plates that are slidably movable relative to each other, each plate comprising an upper head with an outwardly-extending flange, and the first plate including at least one spreader ramp positioned in an upper portion of the first plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No.16/975992, filed Aug. 26, 2020, now allowed, which is a nationalstage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/IB2019/051637, filed Feb. 28,2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/696,690, filed Jul. 11, 2018, and also claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/637080, filed Mar. 1, 2018, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entiretyherein.

BACKGROUND

Anchorage assemblies are often used to provide overhead anchorage pointsto which, for example, a self-retracting lifeline may be attached inorder to provide protection for a worker positioned at an elevatedheight.

SUMMARY

In broad summary, herein is disclosed an anchorage assembly comprisingfirst and second plates that are slidably movable relative to eachother, each plate comprising an upper head with an outwardly-extendingflange, and the first plate comprising at least one spreader ramppositioned in an upper portion of the first plate. These and otheraspects will be apparent from the detailed description below. In noevent, however, should this broad summary be construed to limit theclaimable subject matter, whether such subject matter is presented inclaims in the application as initially filed or in claims that areamended or otherwise presented in prosecution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary anchorage assembly in afirst, ready position for being installed into a strut channel

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary anchorage assembly in asecond, installed position in a strut channel

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a strut channel, viewedalong the long axis of the strut channel

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary anchorageassembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view from a different direction, of theanchorage assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an exemplary anchorage assembly in afirst, ready position, viewed along the transverse axis of the anchorageassembly.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the exemplary anchorage assembly of FIG.6 in a second, installed position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of another exemplary anchorageassembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view from a different direction, of theanchorage assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anchorage assembly of FIGS. 8 and9, in a first, ready position.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the exemplary anchorage assembly of FIG.10 in a first, ready position.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the exemplary anchorage assembly of FIG.11 in a second, installed position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an anchorage-installation assemblybearing an anchorage assembly in a first, ready position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an anchorage-installation assemblybearing an anchorage assembly in a second, installed position.

Like reference numbers in the various figures indicate like elements.Some elements may be present in identical or equivalent multiples; insuch cases only one or more representative elements may be designated bya reference number but it will be understood that such reference numbersapply to all such identical elements. Unless otherwise indicated, allfigures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are chosenfor the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the invention.In particular the dimensions of the various components are depicted inillustrative terms only, and no relationship between the dimensions ofthe various components should be inferred from the drawings, unless soindicated.

Terms such as top, bottom, upper, lower, under, over, above, beneath,and so on, have their ordinary meaning with respect to theherein-disclosed anchorage assembly when positioned and oriented forinstallation into a strut channel that is downward-facing (e.g.overhead-mounted) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. With the anchorageassembly in such a position, the vertical axis of the anchorage assemblywill have its customary meaning and is indicated as axis A_(v) in FIGS.1 and 2. The transverse axis A_(t) of the anchorage assembly refers to adirection along the anchorage assembly that is aligned with the longaxis of the strut channel into which the anchorage assembly isinstalled, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The thickness axis A_(h) ofthe anchorage assembly refers to a direction that is orthogonal to thevertical axis A_(v) and to the transverse axis A_(t). The thickness axiswill be aligned with a lateral (width) dimension of the strut channel inwhich the anchorage assembly is installed and will often be the shortestdimension of the anchorage assembly (as is the case for the exemplaryanchorage assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Terms such as outward andinward refer specifically to directions along the thickness axis A_(h)of the anchorage assembly; inward means toward a location of theanchorage assembly that is centermost along this axis; outward means adirection that is away from such a centermost location, as discussed indetail later herein. Any feature that is designated herein as being anaperture, an orifice, or a window, will be understood to be athrough-hole that that extends completely through the thickness of theplate and is open at both ends to allow passage therethrough. Terms suchas first and second are used in their relative sense, for convenience ofdescription.

As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term“generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that theproperty or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person ofordinary skill but without requiring a high degree of approximation(e.g., within +/−20% for quantifiable properties). The term“substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a highdegree of approximation (e.g., within +/−5% for quantifiableproperties). The term “essentially” means to a very high degree ofapproximation (e.g., within plus or minus 2% for quantifiableproperties); it will be understood that the phrase “at leastessentially” subsumes the specific case of an “exact” match. However,even an “exact” match, or any other characterization using terms such ase.g. same, equal, identical, uniform, constant, and the like, will beunderstood to be within the usual tolerances or measuring errorapplicable to the particular circumstance rather than requiring absoluteprecision or a perfect match. The term “configured to” and like terms isat least as restrictive as the term “adapted to”, and requires actualdesign intention to perform the specified function rather than merephysical capability of performing such a function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is an anchorage assembly 1 configured so that it can beinstalled into a strut channel 300, as shown in exemplary embodiment inFIGS. 1 and 2. Anchorage assembly 1 comprises first and second plates 10and 110 that are vertically slidably movable (i.e., along the axismarked A_(v) in FIGS. 1 and 2) relative to each other. This relativemovement may be accomplished by movement of either one, or both, ofplates 10 and 110; however, in practice it may often be most convenientto move plate 110 relative to plate 10 as will be made evident by thedetailed discussions that follow. The upper end of each plate comprisesan upper head that is configured to engage with a holder 304 of a strutchannel 300 of the general type shown in FIG. 3. First plate 10comprises at least one spreader ramp 50 positioned in an upper portionof the plate as visible in FIG. 1.

First and second plates 10 and 110, when ready for use, can beconfigured in a first, ready position, as shown in FIG. 1. In such aposition the upper heads 13 and 113 of both plates can be passed upwardinto the interior of a strut channel 300. Then, the plates can bevertically slidably moved relative to each other, which relative motionwill result in spreader ramp(s) 50 causing the upper end of the platesto spread apart from each other so that the plates are in a second,installed position as shown in FIG. 2.

With the plates in their second, installed position, the upper head ofeach plate is able to engage with a holder 304 of the strut channel 300as shown in FIG. 2, with the result that anchorage assembly 1 isinstalled into the strut channel 300.

Anchorage assembly 1 is configured to be used with a strut channel Strutchannels (sometimes referred to as channels or C-channels) are widelyused for various purposes in building construction, renovation and soon. Examples of strut channels include various products available fromAtkore International (Harvey, Ill.) under the trade designationsPOWER-STRUT and UNISTRUT. An exemplary strut channel 300 is depicted incross-section in FIG. 3; such a strut channel typically comprises a base301, sidewalls 303, and holders 304 that define an opening 308therebetween. Such a strut channel is often mounted with the base 301oriented upwards (as in FIG. 3) with opening 308 facing downward andwith a long axis of the strut channel extending in a generallyhorizontal direction. Each holder 304 typically comprises an structurethat curves interiorly, e.g. with a lower, generallyhorizontally-oriented flange 306 from whose interior end extends agenerally upwardly-extending lip 307, so as to define an elongate slot305. Although the exemplary strut channel 300 as shown in FIG. 3 depictsa lower flange 306 and a lip 307 that are planar and are orientedexactly in vertical and horizontal directions and that meet at rightangles, in many cases a holder 304 may comprise a lower flange and/or alip that are smoothly arcuate, rounded, or the like, e.g. so that theholder exhibits a “J” shape. An anchorage assembly as disclosed hereinmay be used with any such strut channel, e.g. regardless of the specificdesign of the holders of the strut channel A strut channel need not haveany particular elongate length, as long as it is can admit anchorageassembly 1 thereinto. In fact, in some embodiments a strut channel maytake the form of any suitable fixture that is configured (e.g. profiled)to exhibit holders (e.g. each with a lower flange and a lip) so that ananchorage assembly can be installed thereinto in the manner disclosedherein. Such a fixture might be, for example, molded directly into aconcrete slab.

Opening (e.g., downward-facing opening) 308 of strut channel 300 willexhibit a width W_(o); the interior 309 of strut channel 300 willexhibit a width W_(i) which is wider than width W_(o), as shown in FIG.3. In many convenient embodiments, a strut channel 300 may be a nominal1 ⅝ inch wide strut channel, which is widely used for many purposes. The1 ⅝ inch designation refers to the external width of the strut channel;such a strut channel may comprise a vertical height of e.g. 1 ⅝ or 1 ⅜inch, e.g. with an interior width W_(i) of 1.41 inches and an openingwidth W_(o) of e.g. 0.81 inches. However, strut channels are availablein many configurations, shapes and sizes, e.g. so-called juniorchannels, half channels, and so on. It will be appreciated that theanchorage assemblies disclosed herein may be used with a strut channelof any particular geometry by suitably varying the geometric parametersof the anchorage assembly.

A strut channel may be made of any convenient material, e.g. metal suchas steel, stainless steel, and so on. Such a metal may have any suitablecoating, finishing, or treatment, e.g. it may be oiled, galvanized,zinc-coated, vapor-coated, powder-coated, coated with thermoset epoxy,painted, and so on. Steel channel may be particularly suited for certainuses disclosed herein. However, a strut channel may be made of anymaterial suitable for a particular purpose, e.g. a lightweight metalsuch as aluminum, an organic polymeric resin (e.g. a molded, extruded,or pultruded thermoplastic or thermoset material), and so on. Inparticular embodiments a strut channel may be made of an organicpolymeric resin that is reinforced with inorganic fibers. Examples ofsuch arrangements include polyester resins, vinyl esters, or epoxies,that are reinforced with fiberglass.

The base and/or sidewalls of a strut channel may be continuous, or maybe periodically interrupted by holes, slots, knockouts, and so on, asdesired. In instances in which the strut channel is to be embedded intoconcrete, the strut channel may have protrusions that extend exteriorly(e.g. upward) from the base of the strut channel and are spaced down thelength of the channel, to enhance the holding of the strut channel inthe concrete.

First and second plates 10 and 110 of anchorage assembly 1 will bedescribed in exemplary embodiment in reference to FIGS. 4-7, noting thatFIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective exploded views of the two plates (withretainers and so on being omitted for clarity) and noting that FIGS. 6and 7 are elevation views, looking along the transverse axis of theanchorage assembly, with the plates in a first, ready position (FIG. 6)and in a second, installed position (FIG. 7).

First plate 10 exhibits an upper end 11 and a lower end 12, andcomprises a first main body 21 from which a first upper head 13 extends.First upper head 13 comprises a first flange 14 that extends at leastgenerally outwardly in a first direction. Second plate 110 similarlyexhibits an upper end 111 and a lower end 112, and comprises a secondmain body 121 from which a second upper head 113 extends. Second upperhead 113 of second plate 110 comprises a second flange 114 that extendsat least generally outward in a second direction that is at leastgenerally opposite the first direction in which first flange 14 extends.Thus in some embodiments, anchorage assembly 1, when installed in astrut channel 300, may be supported by the holders 304 of the strutchannel 300 by way of outward ends of flanges 14 and 114 of plates 10and 110 resting on the upper surface of lips 307 of the strut channelHowever, in some embodiments first outwardly-extending flange 14 offirst plate 10 may comprise a first lip 15 extending downwardlytherefrom; second outwardly-extending flange 114 of second plate 110 maylikewise comprise a second lip 115 extending downwardly therefrom, bothas depicted in FIGS. 4-7. In such a case anchorage assembly 1, wheninstalled in a strut channel 300, may be supported at least in part byway of the lower tip of lips 15 and 115 resting on the upper surface offlanges 306 of strut channel 300. That is, with such lips being present,lips 15 and 115 of anchorage assembly 1 may reside in elongated slots305 of strut channel 300, and/or lips 307 of strut channel 300 mayreside in elongated slots 17 and 117 of plates 10 and 110 of anchorageassembly 1, e.g. as in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, a lip of a plate maybe beveled, chamfered or the like, as with bevel 16 of lip 15 of plate10. Flanges 14 and 114 and/or lips 15 and 115 may often extenduninterruptedly along a significant portion of the transverse length ofthe upper end of each plate (e.g., along at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, oressentially 100% of this length (as in the exemplary design of FIGS. 4and 5)). However, in some embodiments any of these may be interruptedperiodically and/or may be spaced along the transverse length of theupper end of the plate.

First plate 10 comprises an inward side 22 and an outward side 25;inward side 22 comprises a major surface 23 that, in many embodiments,may be at least generally planar over much of its area (although it maybe interrupted by various features, e.g. spreader ramps, through-holes,and so on, as described in detail later herein). Second plate 110similarly comprises an inward side 122 with a major surface 123, and anoutward side 125. First plate 10 comprises an abutment area 24 andsecond plate 110 comprises a complementary abutment area 124; byabutment areas is meant that these areas will closely abut each other;that is, they will be within 0.5 mm of each other over the entirety oftheir planar, closest-positioned areas when the first and second platesare in their first, ready position (as in FIG. 6). In many cases areas24 and 124 will be in contact with each other when the plates are in thefirst, ready position. Often, abutment areas 24 and 124 will occupy asignificant portion of the respective major surfaces 23 and 123.Typically, the interface between abutment areas 24 and 124 of plates 10and 110 will be the centermost region of anchorage assembly 1 forpurposes of establishing inward and outward directions as designatedearlier herein.

First plate 10 comprises at least one spreader ramp 50. By a spreaderramp is meant a ramp that is positioned on an upper portion of firstplate 10 and that, when the plates are in their first, ready position,protrudes inward. By protrudes inward is meant that spreader ramp 50extends away from first plate 10 from which it originates, toward secondplate 110. (This terminology encompasses certain embodiments in which aspreader ramp extends so far that a portion of it may protrude past aportion of second plate 110 as discussed later herein.) Such anarrangement provides that when second plate 110 is moved upward relativeto first plate 10 (e.g. from the position of FIG. 6 to the position ofFIG. 7), an interference surface of second plate 110 will impinge onspreader ramp 50 thus forcibly displacing the upper end 111 of secondplate 110 away from the upper end 11 of first plate 10. In other words,a spreader ramp 50 acts to spread the upper ends of the two plates apartwhen the plates are manipulated as disclosed herein.

By positioned on an upper portion of first plate 10 is meant thatspreader ramp 50 is positioned so that a linear distance from thelowermost terminus of first plate 10 to an uppermost terminus of ramp50, is at least 60 percent of the vertical height of plate 10. (In thiscontext the vertical height of plate 10 is the linear distance from thelowermost terminus of first plate 10 to the uppermost terminus of firstplate 10; this uppermost terminus will often be supplied by an uppermostsurface of flange 14 of upper head 13). In various embodiments, spreaderramp 50 may be configured so that this linear distance is at least 70,80, 90, or 95 percent of the vertical height the plate. (By way of aspecific example, the spreader ramp 50 as depicted in FIGS. 4-7 isconfigured so that this value is approximately 90%).

Spreader ramp 50 of first plate 10 comprises an inward surface 51 (thatfaces toward and/or past second plate 110) as shown in FIG. 4; surface51 is a contact surface that will be impinged on by an interferencesurface of second plate 110 as the plates are slidably moved relative toeach other. Spreader ramp 50 will exhibit a ramp angle alpha (γ), whichby definition is the included angle between contact surface 51 andinward major surface 23 of first plate 10. Angle alpha is denoted inFIG. 6; in the exemplary design of FIG. 6 angle alpha is in the range ofapproximately 45-50 degrees. In various embodiments angle alpha may beat least 15, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 44 degrees; in further embodiments anglealpha may be at most 75, 65, 60, 55, 50, or 48 degrees. In manyembodiments spreader ramp 50 will be upwardly angled (e.g. as in FIG.4), meaning that the distance that spreader ramp 50 protrudes inwardlyfrom first plate 10 increases with the vertical upward distance from thejunction of spreader ramp 50 with first plate 10. (In certain specificembodiments, e.g. in which spreader ramps are provided on differentplates rather than all being on the same plate, a spreader ramp may bedownwardly angled as discussed later herein.)

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-5, the at least one spreader ramp50 takes the form of two spreader ramps that are spaced apart from eachother along the transverse axis of first plate 10 and are at leastgenerally equidistant from a transverse centerline of the first plate(such a transverse centerline, if appearing e.g. in FIG. 4, would extendvertically and would pass through through-holes 71 and 62). However, anynumber of spreader ramps (e.g., 1, 3 or 4) may be used. If only a singlespreader ramp is used, in some embodiments it may be transverselycentered on first plate 10 and/or it may extend along at least 50, 60,70, 80, or 90 percent of the transverse extent of plate 10.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, an interference surface 119 ofsecond plate 110 is provided at junction 118 of flange 114 with mainbody 121 of second plate 110. As most easily evident in FIG. 6,interference surface 119 is configured so that upon second plate 110being slidably moved upward relative to first plate 10, interferencesurface 119 of second plate 110 will impinge on contact surface 51 ofspreader ramp 50 and will be forced outward thus spreading the upper end111 of second plate 110 outward away from upper end 11 of first plate10. In some embodiments interference surface 119 may be radiused (e.g.to exhibit a local radius of curvature of at least 3, 5, 7, or 9 mm) toenhance the smoothness with which this occurs. (Junction 18 of firstplate 10, although not being an interference surface, may be similarlyradiused e.g. to provide symmetry between the upper heads 13 and 113 ofthe two plates). Whether or not interference surface 119 of second plate110 is radiused, in some embodiments a junction 52 of ramp 50 with mainbody 21 of first plate 10 (as visible e.g. in FIG. 4), may be radiusedrather than being an abrupt bend or corner. In various embodiments, sucha junction may be radiused so as to exhibit a local radius of curvatureof at least 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mm. Although such features as spreader rampsand contact surfaces thereof, and flanges and lips and interferencesurfaces of upper heads of plates may thus be arcuate when following thevertical direction and/or the thickness direction of the plate, in manyembodiments (e.g. as in FIGS. 4 and 5) such features may be planar whenfollowing the transverse direction of the plate.

Comparison of FIGS. 6 and 7 reveals that as second plate 110 slidesupward relative to first plate 10, at some point the contact between theupper ends of the two plates will cease to be between contact surface 51of spreader ramp 50 of first plate 10 and interference surface 119 ofsecond plate 110. Rather, the contact will now be between tip (terminus)54 of spreader ramp 50 and a contact area 154 of major surface 123 ofinward side 122 of second plate 110. As is evident from FIG. 7, tip 54of spreader ramp 50 of first plate 10 will traverse a path downwardlyalong contact area 154 of major surface 123 of second plate 110 untilreaching a stopping point. A small amount of additional spreading apartof the upper ends of the two plates may occur during this traversal;however, in many embodiments the majority of the spreading may havealready been accomplished during the time in which the contact surfaceof the spreader ramp was in contact with the interference surface of thesecond plate. However, in some embodiments the plates may be designed sothat a significant portion of the spreading does occur while the tip ofthe spreader ramp of the first plate is traversing a contact surface(e.g. a planar contact surface) of the second plate.

First and second plates 10 and 110 will be described in an alternativeexemplary embodiment in reference to FIGS. 8-12, noting that FIGS. 8 and9 are perspective exploded views of the two plates (with retainers andso on being omitted from FIG. 8 and being included in FIG. 9), FIG. 10is a perspective view of the two plates in a first, ready position(again with retainers and so on being omitted), and FIGS. 11 and 12 areelevation views respectively looking along the transverse axis of theanchorage assembly with the plates in a first, ready position and in asecond, installed position.

First plate 10 as depicted in FIGS. 8-12 is similar in many respects tofirst plate 10 as depicted in FIGS. 1-7, the primary difference beingthat spreader ramps 50 (again two in number) of FIGS. 8-12 are locatedsomewhat vertically lower on plate 10. However, in the exemplary designof FIGS. 8-12, the spreader ramps are still located in the upper portionof the plate. Specifically, in the design of FIGS. 8-12, the lineardistance from the bottom terminus of plate 10 to the uppermost terminusof ramp 50 is approximately 80% of the vertical height of plate 10.

Because of the lower positioning of spreader ramps 50 in thisembodiment, second plate 110 is provided with complementaryramp-receiving windows (through-holes) 181, that are sized, shaped andpositioned so that when the first and second plates are in their first,ready position, a portion of a spreader ramp 50 of first plate 10resides within a window 181 of second plate 110 that is complementary to(configured to receive) that spreader ramp. (The descriptor of“inwardly-protruding” will still be used to describe such a spreaderramp, even though in some cases a distal portion of the spreader ramp 50may actually protrude past the outward surface of second plate 110 asevident in FIGS. 10 and 11.)

First and second plates 10 and 110 of this embodiment may be positionede.g. in the upper portion of second plate 110 and will functionaccording to the general principles outlined above. However, theinterference surfaces 119 of second plate 110 with which the contactsurfaces 51 of spreader ramps 50 come in contact with upon upward motionof second plate 110 relative to first plate 10, will be provided bylower sill (edge) 182 of windows 181, rather than by the junction 118 ofthe upper flange 114 with the main body of second plate 110 as in theearlier-described embodiment. If desired, lower sills 182 of windows 181may be beveled, sloped, radiused, or the like, in order to enhance thesmoothness of the spreading process. However, in many embodiments thismay not be necessary.

Upon slidably moving the plates away from the first, ready position ofFIG. 11, the impingement of interference surfaces 119 of second plate110 with contact surfaces 51 of spreader ramps 50 of first plate 10 willcause the upper ends of the two plates to spread apart. This will alsocause the spreader ramps to exit their complementary windows. Once theplates have been slidably moved sufficiently far that the tip 54 of eachspreader ramp has exited its respective window, with any continuedslidable movement of the plates the tip will traverse a path downwardalong a contact area 154 of major surface 123 of second plate untilreaching a stopping point, in the general manner described above.

Whether in a design of the type shown in FIGS. 4-7 or of the type shownin FIGS. 8-12, the design, number and location of spreader ramp(s) 50may be varied as desired. It will be appreciated that the effectsdescribed herein may be achieved e.g. by a spreader ramp that exhibits asomewhat lower angle alpha and/or that does not extend as far away fromthe main body of the first plate. For example spreader ramp that is e.g.less-inwardly-protruding and/or lower-angle might be positioned lower onthe first plate (e.g. while still remaining in the upper portion of thefirst plate as discussed earlier) while still achieving similar effects.It will also be appreciated that a contact surface 51 of a spreader ramp50 need not be necessarily essentially or exactly planar, or exhibit aconstant angle alpha, as it does in the exemplary design of FIGS. 4-7.For example, a contact surface of a spreader ramp could be slightlybowed, concave, convex, etc. In such cases an angle alpha will bemeasured as an average over the extent of the contact surface of thespreader ramp.

Although windows 181 are depicted in FIGS. 8-10 with all material havingbeen completely removed from them, it will be appreciated that all thatmay be necessary is to provide sufficient space for the distal end of aspreader ramp 50 to protrude into and/or through a portion of thewindow. Thus in some embodiments, a window of a plate may be a tabbedwindow that comprises an outwardly-protruding tab that is joined to theplate at an integral junction therewith, e.g. at a lowermost edge of thetab and window. Such a tab may resemble a spreader ramp 50 (except thatit protrudes outward, away from the other plate, rather than inwardtoward the other plate). In some embodiments such a tab may be angled orotherwise configured so that at least a portion of an inward majorsurface of the tab is complementary to at least a portion of the contactsurface 51 of the spreader ramp 50. In such a case this portion of theinward surface of the tab may act as an interference surface 119 with afunction as described above.

In embodiments in which multiple spreader ramps (e.g., two) andcomplementary windows are present, it may not be necessary that thespreader ramps will all be on one plate with the windows being all onthe other plate in the general manner shown in FIGS. 8-12. Rather, insome particular embodiments each plate may have at least one spreaderramp and at least one window configured to receive a spreader ramp ofthe other plate. In such a case the spreader ramps will each protrudeinwardly (i.e. toward the other plate) as described above. However, onesuch ramp may be downwardly angled (rather than upwardly angled in themanner of ramps 50 of FIGS. 8 and 9) with the other ramp being upwardlyangled.

In such a case it may be useful that the junction of thedownwardly-angled ramp with its plate be vertically offset from (e.g.positioned vertically higher than) the junction of the upwardly-angledramp with its plate. (The complementary windows may be vertically offsetfrom each other to the extent necessary to accommodate thisarrangement). This can provide that when the plates are in their second,installed position in which the tip 54 of each spreader ramp has reachedits final stopping point on the contact surface of the opposing plate,the tips of the ramps will be at least substantially, or essentially,vertically even with each other.

As noted earlier with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, first and second platescan be slidably moved from a first, ready position into a second,installed position. This process will now be described in detail, withregard to FIGS. 6 and 7 (and similar FIGS. 11 and 12). Disregarding fornow the presence of various retainers and so on, which will be describedlater, with first plate 10 and second plate 110 in their first, readyconfiguration, second upper head 113 of second plate 110 is positionedlower than first upper head 13 of first plate 10, as in FIG. 6. Withfirst plate 10 and second plate 110 in their second, installed position,second upper head 113 of second plate 110 is positioned at leastgenerally at the same height as first upper head 13 of first plate 10,as in FIG. 7.

In this instance the term height refers specifically to the verticallocation of a force-transmitting structure of an upper head of a plate,when the plate is in its second, installed position. Theforce-transmitting structure will typically be whichever portion of theupper head contacts a holder of a strut channel in such manner as totransmit a load. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7 the force-transmittingstructure of upper head 13 of first plate 10 may be the bottom tip oflip 15 (if this tip rests on the floor of flange 306 of the strutholder). Or, the force-contacting structure may be the underside offlange 14 of first plate 10 (if this surface of flange 14 is contactedby the upper tip of lip 307 of the strut holder). In some embodiments,both such structures may act in combination.

The requirement that second upper head 113 of second plate 110 ispositioned at least generally at the same vertical height as first upperhead 13 of first plate 10 thus means that the force-transmittingstructures of the two plates will be at at least generally the samevertical height. In further embodiments, these two vertical heights maybe at least substantially or essentially the same. Such arrangements canensure that any load that is placed on anchorage assembly 1 and on strutchannel 300 is distributed evenly to the two plates of the anchorageassembly and to the two sides of the strut channel In some embodiments,all corresponding portions of first upper head 13 and second upper head113 may be at the same vertical location when the plates are in theirsecond, installed configuration. For example, the first and second upperheads may be oppositely-facing mirror images e.g. as in FIGS. 4-7.However, this may not be strictly necessary; e.g., a flange 14 of firstplate 10 may be bowed upward so that a portion of it resides at a highervertical location than a flange 114 of second plate 110.

As is evident from FIG. 7, when the first and second plates are in theirsecond, installed position, the upper end 111 of second plate 110 (infact, much of the vertical extent of both plates, excepting e.g. a smallarea at the lower end of the plates) is displaced outwardly away fromthe upper end 11 of first plate 10. This can be contrasted with thefirst and second plates when in their first, ready position as in FIG.6. This difference may be characterized in terms of a spreading angletheta (θ) as illustrated in FIG. 12. As defined herein, a spreadingangle theta will be measured between inward major surfaces 23 and 123 offirst and second plates 10 and 110, from a vertex at the lower end 5 ofanchorage assembly 1. In various embodiments, spreading angle theta maybe at least 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5 degrees. In further embodimentsspreading angle theta may be at most 10, 8.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, or 4.0degrees. (By way of a specific example, the spreading angle theta forthe exemplary anchorage assembly of FIG. 12 is approximately 4 degrees).

Although such angles may seem small, they are in fact large incomparison to the “angle” that exists between major inward surfaces 23and 123 when the plates are in their first, ready position. When theplates are in this first, ready position these surfaces will be parallelto each other to within 1.0 degree or less. It will be appreciated thata change from a first, ready configuration in which these surfaces areparallel to each other to within e.g. 1.0, 0.5, or even 0.2 degrees, toone in which they exhibit a spreading angle of at least 1.5, 2.0, 3.0degrees or more, can provide sufficient spreading of the upper ends ofthe plates to achieve the objects disclosed herein.

The displacement of the upper ends of the plates can also becharacterized in terms of a plate spacing. As defined herein, a platespacing is the linear distance between major surface 23 of first plate10 and major surface 123 of second plate 110, measured at the uppermostlocation at which these surfaces are still planar (e.g. the highestlocation before each plate begins to bend outward to form flanges 14 and114). An exemplary plate spacing S_(p) is depicted in FIG. 12. Thisplate spacing may comprise any value commensurate with installation intoa particular strut channel (e.g. from at least 3, 4, 6, or 8 mm, to atmost 16, 14, 12 or 11 mm). This plate spacing may be furthercharacterized by obtaining a plate spacing ratio, which is the ratio(expressed in percent) of the plate spacing to the total width of theanchorage assembly at its upper end when the anchorage assembly is inits second, installed position. (The total width W_(t) is depicted inFIG. 12). In various embodiments, this plate spacing ratio may be atleast about 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20%. In further embodiments, thisplate spacing ratio may be at most 40, 35, 30, 25, or 22%. (By way of aspecific example, the plate spacing ratio for the exemplary anchorageassembly of FIG. 12 is about 20%).

First and second plates 10 and 110 can be made of any suitable material.In particular embodiments such a plate can be made of steel, e.g.,stainless steel such as grade 304 steel, galvanized steel, or the like.In other embodiments the plate may be made of a lightweight metal suchas e.g. aluminum. In other embodiments the plates may be made of anorganic polymeric resin, e.g. a molded, extruded, or pultrudedthermoplastic or thermoset material. In particular embodiments the platemay be made of an organic polymeric resin that is reinforced withinorganic fibers (e.g. fiberglass). Examples of such arrangementsinclude fiberglass-reinforced polyester resin, vinyl ester, or epoxy.

Such a plate may be made using any suitable manufacturing process. Invarious embodiments, the plate may be made by e.g. machining a block ofmetal, by forging, and so on. In particularly convenient embodiments,the plate may be produced by starting with a flat layer of suitablematerial (e.g. sheet steel of 1/16, ⅛, or 3/16 inch thickness). The flatlayer of material may be cut (e.g. by laser-cutting) to provide anshaped piece with an outer perimeter. The flat layer of material maythen be controllably deformed (bent), e.g. by suitable metal-formingmethods, to form an upper head. The bending may be carried out in asingle step, or in a series of steps. The layer of material may be cute.g. to provide various through-holes as discussed herein. (While thiscutting may be done after a bending process, in many embodiments it maybe convenient to carry out such through-hole-cutting steps while thelayer is still in flat form, e.g. in concert with the process of cuttingthe plate to form its outer perimeter). If the plate is a molded organicpolymeric material, the upper head may be molded as an integralprotrusion of the plate. In some embodiments, a separately-made upperhead may be attached to a plate e.g. by adhesive bonding, welding orsoldering, solvent welding, and so on.

At least one such plate is equipped with a spreader ramp as discussed indetail herein. In some embodiments such a spreader ramp may be aseparately-made component that is mounted on a plate (e.g. onto a majorsurface thereof) by additive methods. For example, a separately-madespreader ramp might be welded onto the surface of the plate, might beattached to the plate e.g. by adhesive bonding, by welding, soldering,or solvent welding, and so on. If the plate is a molded organicpolymeric material, the spreader ramp may be molded as an integralprotrusion of the plate.

In many embodiments (e.g. in which the plate is made of a metal such assteel) it may be convenient to produce a spreader ramp by cutting agenerally U-shaped through-hole through the thickness of the plate.Within the through-hole, and bounded by it on three sides, remains a tabthat is comprised of the same material as the plate and that is joinedto the plate at an integral junction therewith.

The tab can then be subjected to a metal-bending process to form aspreader ramp, e.g. of the general type depicted in FIG. 4. Any suitablenumber of spreader ramps may be provided in this manner. (If a window ofa plate is a tabbed window as described earlier herein, such a tab maybe produced by steps similar to those described for forming a spreaderramp.)

A spreader ramp may exhibit any suitable shape; e.g. it might begenerally triangular rather than rectangular as shown in FIG. 4. Forexample, a V-shaped cut may be made in the plate, with the apex of the Vuppermost, with the resulting tab being bent about an axis that extendsacross the lower, open end of the V to form the spreader ramp. Theresulting triangular spreader ramp may resemble e.g. a can-piercingportion of a “church key” can opener. In some embodiments, a spreaderramp may be formed by bending a tab about an axis that is generallyaligned with the vertical axis of the plate, rather than bending aboutan axis that is generally aligned with the transverse axis of the plateas would lead to a spreader ramp of the general type illustrated in FIG.4. In such a case, a contact surface of the ramp may be provided by aminor edge surface of the ramp rather a major surface as in the designof FIG. 4. Such a bendable tab may be provided e.g. by making agenerally V-shaped cut in the plate with the open end of the V beingoriented generally along the vertical axis of the plate. The tab canthen be bent about an axis that extends across the open end of the V toform a spreader ramp. In a variation of this, a plate can be cut from asheet so that, when the sheet is in its initial, flat form, first andsecond triangular tabs extend from first and second transverse perimeteredges of the plate. Each tab can each be bent about an axis that extendsgenerally along the vertical axis of the plate (e.g. that is generallyaligned with the transverse edge of the plate), to provide first andsecond spreader ramps at first and second transverse edges of the plate.It will be appreciated that many variations in the design of spreaderramps are encompassed by the disclosures herein. Moreover, a tab, havingbeen bent to form a spreader ramp, can be post-processed, shaped, etc.,as desired. For example, in the case of a generally triangular “churchkey” type spreader ramp, a terminal end of the spreader ramp may beworked, abraded, smoothed, chamfered, beveled, or the like, e.g. toprovide that the ramp does not terminate in a sharp tip.

It will be clear from these discussions that in some embodiments a plateas disclosed herein, including e.g. an upper head and a spreader ramp ifpresent, may be an integral body (e.g. made by bending and cutting ofone flat sheet of material). To this integral body may be added variousseparately-made components (e.g. retainers, locks, and so on), asdiscussed below. Thus, in some embodiments a spreader ramp will beintegrally joined to a main body of the plate by an integral junction.An integral body, an integral protrusion, an integral joining orjunction, and like terms, denotes a condition in which the referred-tocomponents are portions of a single, unitary body and in which all thecomponents are comprised of the same material. Such an arrangementspecifically excludes any arrangement in which a separately-madecomponent is attached to a plate or is added to a plate by additivemanufacturing methods.

A plate (made of e.g. stainless steel) may have any suitable coating,finishing, or treatment, e.g. it may be oiled, galvanized, zinc-coated,vapor-coated, powder-coated, coated with thermoset epoxy, painted, andso on. In some embodiments, at least portions of a major surface of aplate (e.g. a lower portion of an outward major surface of the plate)may be textured (e.g. by knurling), may have a non-slip coating ortreatment applied to, and so on, to enhance the ease with which a usercan grasp the plate to perform the manipulations disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, first plate 10 and second plate 110 thatcollectively provide anchorage assembly 1 may be provided as separatecomponents that are not connected to each other (although they maybecome connected to each other e.g. when an item that is to be supportedby the anchorage assembly is fastened to each plate). In otherembodiments, first plate 10 and second plate 110 are connected to eachother by one or more retainers. Exemplary retainers 210 that may be usedfor such a purpose are shown in elevation view in FIG. 6 and inperspective exploded view in FIG. 9. Any such retainer may be detachablefrom at least one of the plates so that the plates may be separated fromeach other; however in many embodiments such a retainer may connect theplates to each other in a non-separable manner. By non-separable ismeant that the plates cannot be separated from each other in ordinaryuse of anchorage assembly 1 without destroying or damaging any or all ofthe plates and the retainer(s).

Any such retainer must allow slidable vertical movement of the twoplates relative to each other. One exemplary arrangement is most easilyseen in FIG. 9. Retainer 210 as depicted therein comprises an elongateshank 211 and enlarged ends 212 (one of which ends may be formed afterthe retainer is in place on the plates). Shank 211 passes through aretaining aperture 161 in second plate 110 and through a retainingaperture 61 in first plate 10. The retaining aperture 161 and theretaining aperture 61 will be sufficiently aligned with each other toallow this. Retaining aperture 61 is in the form of a slot that iselongated at least generally along the vertical axis of plate 10 toallow the plates to vertically slide relative to each other while stillremaining connected to each other by retainer(s) 210.

Any such retainer should allow the first and second plates to spreadapart from each other at least to an amount to allow the functioningdescribed herein. In the exemplary depicted embodiments, the retainersare mounted in the lower portion of the plates. While the spreading thatoccurs in the lower portion of the plates will be less than thespreading that occurs at the upper end of the plates, retainerspositioned in the lower portion of the plates may nevertheless stillallow at least some amount of spreading. In the depicted embodiment thisis achieved by providing that the elongate length of retainers 210(e.g., the distance between the two enlarged heads 212) is at least asgreat as the local distance that will exist between the outward surfacesof the two plates when the plates are in their second, installedposition. Such an approach can be readily appreciated from inspection ofFIG. 7. In other embodiments, a retainer might be e.g. expandable alongthe thickness direction of the two plates to allow plate spreading tooccur.

Any retainer, of any design, may be used as long as it permits thedesired plate-spreading. As noted above, in some embodiments such aretainer may be a component that is made separately from plates 10 and110 and is then installed thereonto. In the exemplary design of FIG. 9,retaining apertures 161 are in second plate 110 and retaining slots 61are in first plate 10; however, these locations could be switched; or,each plate could comprise one retaining aperture and one retaining slot.If one aperture/slot pair are provided, it may be convenient to centerthem transversely on the plates; if multiple pairs are provided, it maybe useful for them to bracket the transverse centerline of the plates,e.g. as in the exemplary design of FIG. 9.

In some embodiments anchorage assembly 1 may include one or more locksthat is engagable to lock first plate 10 and second plate 110 in theirsecond, installed position. Such a lock may be configured that, when thelock is engaged, it prevents the first and second plates from verticallyslidably moving relative to each other out of the second, installedposition and into a first, ready position. In some embodiments the lockmay be manually engaged once the plates are in their second, installedposition. In other embodiments the lock may be configured so that itautomatically engages upon slidable vertical movement of the first andsecond plates from the first, ready position to the second, installedposition. In further embodiments the lock may be configured so that thelock must be manually disengaged in order to allow the first and secondplates to be slidably vertically moved from the second, installedposition to the first, ready position.

Any suitable lock, of any design or configuration, may be used for suchpurposes. An exemplary lock 220 is shown in FIG. 9. Lock 220 isconfigured to work in concert with a lock aperture 171 of second plate110 and a keyhole aperture 71 of first plate 10. Keyhole aperture 71comprises a vertically-elongated slot portion 73 this is upwardly joinedto a circle portion 72 that has a transverse width that is larger thanthe transverse width of slot portion 73 (noting that the term circleportion is used for convenience of description and that portion 72 neednot be strictly circular).

Exemplary lock 220 comprises an elongate member 221 comprising a shank224. Member 221 comprises a first longitudinal portion 222 that passesthrough keyhole aperture 71 of first plate 10 when the plates are intheir first, ready position. First longitudinal portion 222 comprises anexpanded-diameter shoulder 223 that is sized to fit within circleportion 72 of keyhole aperture 71 but that is too large to fit withinslot portion 73 of keyhole aperture 71. Elongate member 221 comprises asecond longitudinal portion 225 that passes through lock aperture 171 ofsecond plate 110. Lock 220 comprises enlarged heads 227 to retain lock220 on anchorage assembly 1 (in the depicted embodiment, one enlargedhead 227 is a washer that is held in place by an enlarged diameter lipon the end of second longitudinal portion 225).

Lock 220 is configured so that when first and second plates 10 and 110are in their first, ready position, the inward, shoulderless part offirst longitudinal portion 222 of elongated member 221 resides withinslot portion 73 of keyhole aperture 71 of first plate 10; secondlongitudinal portion 225 of elongated member 221 resides within lockaperture 171 of second plate 110. As the plates are slidably movedrelative to each other, first longitudinal portion 222 slides upwardwithin slot portion 73 of keyhole aperture 71 until it reaches circleportion 72 of keyhole aperture 71. At this time at least firstlongitudinal portion 222 of elongated member 221 can then be urged alongthe thickness direction of the plates, so that expanded-diametershoulder 223 enters, and resides snugly within, circle portion 72. Insome embodiments this may done manually e.g. by way of lock 220 beingmanipulated by a user of anchorage assembly 1. However, in the exemplarydepicted embodiment, this is performed automatically when second plate110 has slidably moved sufficiently far upward relative to first plate10. This may be achieved by providing a biasing element (in this case, acompression spring, as seen most easily in FIG. 9) 226 that urgeselongated member 221 in the appropriate direction along the thicknessaxis of the plates.

This can provide that as soon as elongated member 221 has movedsufficiently far upward along keyhole aperture 71 that shoulder 223 ofmember 221 is able to fit within circle portion 72, the biasing memberwill cause should 223 to enter, and reside in, circle portion 72. Lock220 will then be in a locked configuration of the type shown in FIG. 7,with shoulder 223 preventing elongated member from moving downward intoslot portion 73.

Thus in the depicted embodiment, lock 220 will automatically engage tolock the plates upon the plates being slidably moved into their second,installed position. In the depicted embodiment, in order to slidablymove the plates back into the first, ready position, it will benecessary to manually urge elongated member 221 in a direction oppositethat described above (e.g. by pressing on the end of elongated member221 that bears washer 227) so that expanded-diameter shoulder 223 ispositioned outward of second plate 110 so that shoulder 223 no longerprevents elongated member 221 from slidably moving downward into slotportion 73.

In like manner to the above-described retainer(s), any such lock will beconfigured so that it allows the first and second plates to spread apartfrom each other to the extent necessary. It will be appreciated thatlock 220 as depicted herein is merely one exemplary arrangement and thatany suitable lock, whether auto-engaging or requiring manual engaging,and whether auto-disengaging or requiring manual disengagement, can beused. In some embodiments, e.g. in which it is desired to install ananchorage assembly 1 permanently into a strut channel, such a lock maynot be disengagable, either manually or automatically. In someparticular embodiments, any such lock may serve as a retainer that atleast assists in retaining the first and second plates together. In someparticular embodiments, such a lock may serve this purpose so that noadditional retainers (e.g. retainers 210 as described above) are needed.

Anchorage assembly 1 is configured to be installed into a strut channel300 and to facilitate the attachment of an item to the anchorageassembly so that the item is supported by the installed anchorageassembly. The term “item” broadly encompasses any entity, apparatus,system, collection of components, and so on, that is desired to beattached and supported in this manner, as discussed in detail laterherein. In some embodiments, to facilitate such attachment an anchorageassembly may be provided with a first attachment orifice 62 in firstplate 10 and a second attachment orifice 162 in a second plate 110. Theattachment orifices are aligned with each other and are sized and shapedto allow a fastener to pass through the aligned attachment orifices(noting that this does not necessarily require that all portions of theorifices are exactly aligned with each other). In some embodiments, atleast one of the attachment orifices (in the exemplary depiction of FIG.9, attachment orifice 162 of second plate 110) may be a verticallyelongated slot along which the fastener is free to slidably move. Itwill be appreciated that this may be provided so that the fastener doesnot prevent the first and second plates from being vertically slidablymoved relative to each other if the fastener is already present whenanchorage assembly 1 is installed. In like manner to the above-describedretainer(s), any such fastener, and the attachment orifices with whichit functions, will be configured so that it allows the first and secondplates to spread apart from each other to the degree necessary. Ingeneral, an anchorage assembly 1 may be configured in any suitablemanner to accept any fastener that can be used to attach an item to theanchorage. In some embodiments, an anchorage assembly may comprise asingle attachment orifice in one plate, with the other plate notcomprising an attachment orifice.

In some embodiments such a fastener may be e.g. a carabiner 7 or likedevice (as shown e.g. in FIGS. 1 and 2); such a fastener may be usede.g. to attach a safety line to anchorage assembly 1. In particularembodiments such a safety line may be a so-called self-retractinglifeline (SRL). In such a case a housing of the SRL may be directlyattached to the carabiner; or, an tether, line, cable or the like may beattached to anchorage assembly 1 with the housing of the SRL beingattached to the tether.

As disclosed herein, an anchorage assembly 1 may be maintained in afirst, ready position until it is to be installed e.g. into anoverhead-mounted, downwardly-facing strut channel 300. At that time, theupper end 3 of anchorage assembly 1 can be inserted upward throughopening 308 of strut channel 300. The total width of the upper end ofthe anchorage assembly (with anchorage assembly in its first, readyconfiguration) will be sufficiently small in comparison to the widthW_(o) of opening 308 of strut channel 300, to allow this to beperformed. In some embodiments the total width of the upper end of theanchorage assembly will be sufficiently smaller than the width W_(o) ofopening 308 that the upper end of the anchorage assembly may be passedstraight upwards through opening 308. In other embodiments the totalwidth of the upper end of the anchorage assembly width may be such thatthe anchorage assembly may be angled slightly to one side and then tothe other side to facilitate passing the upper end of the anchorageassembly through opening 308.

Once the upper heads 13 and 113 of first and second plates 10 and 110are within interior 309 of strut channel 300, first and second plates 10and 110 can be slidably vertically moved relative to each other so thatthey move out of their first, ready position and into their second,loading position. While the concept of relative movement of the platesencompasses moving the first plate downward relative to the secondplate, or moving both plates, in some embodiments this relative movementmay involve primarily moving the second plate upward relative to thefirst plate. In practice this may be conveniently achieved by movinganchorage assembly 1 upward until upper end 11 of first plate 10 (e.g.an upper surface of flange 14) contacts the ceiling 302 of base 301 ofstrut channel 300. At this point no further upward movement of firstplate 10 is possible and continued upward urging of anchorage assembly 1will cause second plate 110 to slide vertically upward relative to firstplate 10 to put the plates in their second, installed position. (Sincethe upper end of first plate 10 will have contacted the ceiling of thestrut channel base, the upper end of second plate 110 will not be ableto be positioned higher than the upper end of first plate 10.) A lock,if present, may auto-engage, or be manually engaged, at this point.After the plates have been put into their second, installed position,the entire anchorage assembly may be lowered slightly to a position inwhich the upper heads of the plates are engaged with the holders of thestrut channel (that is, to a position as shown in FIG. 2).

During installation of anchorage assembly 1 into a strut channel 300,anchorage assembly 1 may be held in the hand of a user; it may be mostconvenient for the use to grasp a lower portion of anchorage assembly 1.It will be appreciated that with the plates in their first, readyposition, the lowermost end of second plate 110 may be positioned lowerthan the lowermost end of first plate 10 (as is evident from e.g. FIG.6). It will thus be straightforward to push upward on the lower end ofsecond plate 110 (e.g., a user may push upward on the lowermost edge ofsecond plate 110) in order to slide second plate 110 into the second,installed configuration.

If it is desired to uninstall an anchorage assembly from a strutchannel, the above procedures may be reversed. In many embodiments alock may be manually disengaged as part of this process. It will beappreciated that in many embodiments, first and second plates 10 and 110may remain at least generally transversely aligned with each otherduring all steps of the installation process (e.g. as shown in theexemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2). This may be contrasted with,for example, an arrangement in which first and second plates areinserted into a strut channel in a misaligned configuration (e.g. atseparate locations along the length of the strut channel), and are thenslidably moved along the channel into transverse alignment with eachother in order to connect the plates to each other to form an anchorageassembly.

In some embodiments, anchorage assembly 1 may be provided with first andsecond visual indicators 204 that can be visually inspected to ensurethat anchorage assembly 1 has been properly installed in a strut channelAs shown in exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11, a first visualindicator 204 may be provided on an outward area 205 of an underside offirst outwardly-extending flange 14 of first upper head 13 of firstplate 10. A second visual indicator 204 may be similarly provided on anoutward area of an underside of second outwardly-extending flange 114 ofsecond upper head 113 of second plate 110. One or both of these visualindicators will be visible from below when the upper heads of the plateshave been inserted upward through opening 308 of strut channel 300 butwithout the upper heads of the plates having yet been spread outwardlyinto their installed position. After the upper heads of the plates havebeen spread outwardly and the anchorage assembly lowered so that theupper heads of the plates are engaged with the holders of the strutchannel, inward portions of the holders (e.g. lips 307) will obscure thevisual indicators (when viewed from below) so that they are no longervisible. This can be taken as an indication that the anchorage assemblyhas been appropriately spread into its installed position and engagedwith the strut channel

A visual indicator 204 can be configured in any suitable manner. Thewidth of an indicator 204 along the thickness axis of the anchorageassembly, and its placement along this axis, can be chosen to providethat the indicator is visible prior to becoming engaged with the strutchannel and becomes obscured after a successful installation. Whileexemplary indicators 204 as pictured in FIG. 10 extend continuouslyalong the entire elongate length of outward area 205 of each respectiveflange of each plate, such indicators may be discontinuous and/or may bedisposed only along a portion of the elongate length of outward area 205of the flange. The indicators may be substantially identical to eachother, or they may be different from each other.

A visual indicator 204 can comprise any material or treatment that willappropriately provide sufficient visibility, e.g. when examined underambient-light conditions and/or when interrogated with a flashlight. Insome embodiments, a visual indicator may take the form of one or morepieces (e.g., elongate lengths) of material that exhibit suitablevisibility. In some convenient embodiments, such an indicator might takethe form of an elongate length of high-visibility (e.g. brightlycolored) pressure-sensitive-adhesive tape that is adhesively attached tothe desired area 205 of the underside of the flange. However, anydesired attachment method may be used. For example any suitable adhesive(whether e.g. photocured, thermally cured, moisture-cured, etc.) may beused to attach a high-visibility material to the desired area.

The above embodiments are examples of a general approach in which apre-existing high visibility material (e.g. a film or sheet) is bondedto the desired area. In other embodiments, a visual indicator may beprovided by using a liquid material that is deposited (e.g. coated) ontoa desired area 205 and then solidified to form the visual indicator.Such approaches may rely on the use of e.g. any suitable coating, paint,lacquer, varnish, or the like, that is provided with one or more ofpigments, dyes, reflective particles, or the like, to impart the desiredvisibility.

A visual indicator 204 need not rely strictly, or even in part, on theactual color of the indicator. Rather, in some embodiments, reflectiveproperties (that may or may not be wavelength-independent) of theindicator may provide, or at least contribute to, the visual indication.This may be particularly useful in instances in which, for example, theanchorage assembly is to be installed in a strut channel that is in theceiling of a relatively dark or unlighted location. In such cases, auser (or inspector, or other qualified person) might shine a flashlightat the anchorage assembly in order to determine whether the assembly hasbeen properly installed. Thus, a visual indicator that provides areflective signal may be used (strictly speaking, of course, it willusually be the absence of a reflective signal that confirms that theindicator is obscured by the strut channel, indicating that the assemblyis properly installed).

Thus in some embodiments, a visual indicator 204 may be used thatexhibits highly reflective, e.g. specularly reflective, properties (sucha reflective indicator may also possess a distinctive or bright color,of course). In some examples, such an indicator may take the form of oneor more pieces of reflective adhesive tape, e.g. that exhibit specularreflection. Such tapes may e.g. comprise a metallized tape backing orthe like. Or, such a visual indicator may be provided by coating (e.g.plating or vapor-coating) one or more regions of area 205 with chromium,aluminum, gold, or any other suitably highly-reflective metal.

The above embodiments are examples of a general approach in which anoutward area 205 of the underside of a flange of a plate is modified ortreated so that it exhibits a visual signal (e.g. a noticeable colorand/or higher reflectivity) in comparison to an existing, unmodified,inward area 206 of the underside of the flange of the plate. However, insome embodiments it is the inward area 206 that may be modified in orderthat the outward area 205 exhibits a visual signal in comparison toinward area 206. For example, in many convenient embodiments, plates 10and 110 of anchorage assembly 1 may be made of a metal such as e.g.stainless steel. In such a case, at least some areas of the plates,including e.g. the underside of the outwardly-extending flanges, mayhave a relatively smooth surface (e.g. may be polished to a mirrorfinish). Such a surface may inherently be highly reflective. In suchinstances, an outwardmost area 205 of the underside of theoutwardly-extending flange of a plate may be left “as-is”, while aninwardmost (neighboring) area 206 of the underside may be e.g. ground,abraded, sandblasted, etched, or otherwise treated to roughen ortexturize the surface of this area so that it is not highly reflective.Similar effects may be achieved e.g. by mounting a strip of dark-coloredand/or matte-finish adhesive tape in inwardmost area 206. It will thusbe understood that the concept of a visual indicator as disclosed hereinencompasses cases in which an inwardmost area 206 is modified to reduceits visibility relative to a neighboring outwardmost area 205, in orderthat the outwardmost area can serve as a visual indicator.

It will be appreciated that many variations on the above arrangementsare possible. Thus in some embodiments, a strip of brightly colored(e.g. red) and/or reflective tape may be mounted in outwardmost area205, with a strip of dark, nonreflective tape (e.g. a matte-finish blacktape) being mounted in inwardmost area 206. In some embodiments, avisual indicator (whether in the form of a film, tape, coating, ortreatment) may be a retroreflective indicator that exhibits acoefficient of retroreflection of at least 50, 100, 200, or 400 candelaper lux per square meter, when measured according to the proceduresoutlined in paragraph 0113 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.20170276844, which Publication is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety for this purpose. In some embodiments, a visual indicatorin an outwardmost area 205 may be provided with a protective coating(e.g. a protective transparent film, or a so-called hardcoat or thelike) that enhances the abrasion resistance of the indicator or area.

In some embodiments, during installation of anchorage assembly 1 into astrut channel, anchorage assembly 1 may be held atop an installationpole 402 to form an installation assembly 401 as shown in exemplaryembodiment in FIGS. 13 and 14. This may allow anchorage assembly 1 to beinstalled in elevated and/or hard-to-reach places without necessitatingthat a user climb to within arms-length of the strut channel Tofacilitate such use, installation pole 402 may comprise an installationhead 403 that comprises an upward-facing slot 404 into which the lowerend 5 of anchorage assembly 1 (i.e., the lower ends 12 and 112 of firstand second plates 10 and 110) may be fitted. The pole may then be usedto move anchorage assembly 1 upward into a desired strut channel Onceupper end 11 of first plate 10 contacts the ceiling of the strutchannel, continued upward movement may be applied to urge second plate110 to slidably move into the second, installed configuration as shownin FIG. 14. Once this is performed, the anchorage assembly may belowered slightly so that it engages with the holders of the strutchannel, after which the pole and installation head can be furtherlowered so that the lower end of the anchorage assembly exits slot 404.

In some embodiments, an anchorage assembly 1 as installed into a strutchannel may be configured so that is able to slide along the elongatelength of the strut channel In other embodiments, the anchorage assemblymay be configured so that it remains in the place it was installed,without moving along the strut channel

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in some embodiments an anchorage assembly 1may have a fastener 7 (in this case, a carabiner) connected theretobefore the anchorage assembly is installed into the strut channel Infact, in some embodiments the fastener may already have an item (e.g. aself-retracting lifeline) attached thereto before the anchorage assemblyis installed. To allow for such instances, if desired installation head403 may comprise one or more actuators (e.g. spring-loaded pistons,clamps or the like) that hold first and second plates 10 and 110 so thatthe weight of an item that is attached to the plates does not cause theplates to vertically slidably move relative to each other in a way thatwould cause them to enter their second, installed position before thedesired time. Such actuators can be configured to resist suchgravitational forces but to nevertheless be overcome by a large enoughforce (e.g. by continued upward urging of the installation head and theanchorage assembly after the upper end of first plate 10 has contactedthe ceiling of the strut channel) so that they allow the plates toslidably move into their second, installed position at the desired time.

In general, anchorage assembly 1 may be configured to be installed intoa strut channel 300 and to facilitate the connection of any item to theanchorage assembly so that the item is supported by the installedanchorage assembly. The term “item” is used broadly and encompasses anysingle item, collection of items, system, apparatus, and so on, withspecific examples being noted below. In particular embodiments,anchorage assembly 1 may be used to allow a safety line to be attachedto anchorage assembly 1. The term safety line is used broadly andencompasses any single line or cable or combinations of multiple linesor cables, connected to any suitable safety equipment. In specificembodiments a safety line may be a so-called self-retracting lifeline(SRL). As noted earlier herein, an

SRL may comprise a housing that is connected to anchorage assembly 1e.g. by a carabiner, by a carabiner plus a tether, and so on. An SRLincludes a reel within the housing, which reel allows a line (that istypically attached to a harness of a worker) to travel with the workeras the worker moves about an elevated workplace and to be automaticallyreeled in when the worker moves closer to the housing. An SRL alsoincludes a brake (e.g. a centrifugal brake) that is triggered e.g. inthe event of a worker fall. Fall-protection apparatus such asself-retracting lifelines are described in various aspects in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,843,349, 8,256,574, 8,430,206, 8,430,207, and 9,488,235. Ingeneral, an anchorage assembly 1 as disclosed herein may be used as partof any safety line system, including but not limited to a horizontallifeline or retractable horizontal lifeline, a positioning lanyard orsystem, a shock-absorbing lanyard, a rope adjuster or rope grab, a loadarrester, a vertical safety system (such as e.g. a flexible cable, rigidrail, climb assist, or fixed ladder safety system), a confined-spacerescue system or hoist system, and so on. Thus in summary, an anchorageassembly as disclosed herein may be used as part of any desired personalheight-safety fall-protection system, e.g. a self-retracting lifeline,as long as appropriate standards and procedures are followed.

As discussed below, some anchorage assemblies that are encompassed bythe present disclosure may be used for purposes other than fallprotection; in such cases, an anchorage assembly may only need tosatisfy whatever requirements are appropriate for that particular use(and, for example, the components of the anchorage assembly may be madeof whatever material is suitable for that use). However, it will beunderstood that any anchorage assembly will be only used in accordancewith the specific instructions provided for the designated use of thatparticular anchorage assembly. And, it will be understood that anyanchorage assembly that is used with a personal height-safetyfall-protection system will be used in accordance with the specificinstructions provided and will meet all applicable governmental (e.g.local, state, federal, and/or national) standards. In some embodiments,a safety line (such as e.g. an SRL) with which an anchorage assembly isused will meet the requirements of ANSI Z359.14-2012, as specified in2012. In some embodiments, an anchorage assembly will meet therequirements of ANSI Z369.18-2017, as specified in 2017.

In at least some embodiments in which anchorage assembly 1 is to supporta safety line such as e.g. an SRL, anchorage assembly 1 may be installedinto a strut channel 300 that is embedded into a surface (e.g. adownward-facing surface) of a concrete member, slab or platform. Anysuch strut channel that is used for fall-protection purposes will meetall applicable standards and performance requirements, e.g. it may becapable of sustaining a static load of 5000 pounds. In many embodiments,such a strut channel may be made of e.g. steel. In such embodiments,plates 10 and 110 of anchorage assembly 1 may be made of steel, e.g. 12gauge steel sheet into which are formed (e.g. by bending, rolling,stamping, cutting, etc.) various features such as flanges, lips,spreader ramps, windows, through-holes, and so on.

Although the discussion of anchorage assemblies herein has primarilyconcerned their use with safety lines, it is emphasized that ananchorage assembly 1 as disclosed herein may be used for any purpose inwhich it is desired to attach an item to a strut channel Such an itemmay be e.g. a pipe, an electrical conduit or raceway, an HVAC duct andso on. Such items are not limited to e.g. elongated items. Thus such anitem might be e.g. a plumbing component, an electrical component, alighting component, or, in general, any bracket, clamp, fixture or thelike that may be used to support a piping, plumbing, electrical, orlighting component. It will be appreciated that such uses may notnecessarily require the same performance properties as may be requirede.g. for a safety line such as an SRL. Thus, an anchorage assembly forany such use may be made of any suitable material, e.g. plastic,reinforced plastic (e.g. fiber-reinforced plastic), composite materials,lightweight metals such as aluminum and so on. Similarly, for suchpurposes such an anchorage assembly may be installed into a strutchannel that is made of plastic, reinforced plastic, aluminum, and soon. As noted, installation of an anchorage assembly into a strut channelmay be temporary (e.g. during a particular work period) or permanent.

An anchorage assembly as disclosed herein may be of any suitable shapeand size. For example, an anchorage assembly that is configured to beinstalled into a 1 ⅝ inch wide strut channel may comprise a verticalheight of e.g. from 9 to 13 cm. An anchorage assembly may exhibit anysuitable transverse extent that provides sufficient stability in view ofthe use to which the assembly will be put. For example, an anchorageassembly may comprise a transverse extent of e.g. from 4 to 10 cm.

Although the discussion of uses of an anchorage assembly has concernedinstallation of the anchorage assembly into a strut channel that isoriented base-upward, with a downward-facing open end (e.g. anoverhead-mounted strut channel), it is noted that such an anchorageassembly may be used in strut channels of other orientations (e.g.,wall-mounted) as well. In such a case the disclosures and descriptionsprovided herein still apply, with the condition that the anchorageassembly and/or the strut channel shall be rotated to a verticalconfiguration in order to perform the evaluations and characterizationspresented herein.

List of Exemplary Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is an anchorage assembly comprising first and second platesthat are connected to each other so that the plates are slidably movablerelative to each other, wherein a first upper end of the first platecomprises a first upper head comprising a first flange that extendsoutwardly in a first direction and wherein a second upper end of thesecond plate comprises a second upper head comprising a second flangethat extends outwardly in a second, opposite direction, and wherein thefirst plate comprises at least one spreader ramp positioned in an upperportion of the first plate.

Embodiment 2 is the anchorage assembly of embodiment 1 wherein the firstand second plates are vertically slidably movable relative to each otherbetween a first, ready position, in which the second upper head of thesecond plate is positioned lower than the first upper head of the firstplate; and, a second, installed position, in which the second upper headof the second plate is positioned at least generally at the samevertical height as the first upper head of the first plate and in whichthe upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from theupper end of the first plate.

Embodiment 3 is the anchorage assembly of embodiment 2 wherein when thefirst and second plates are in their first, ready position the secondplate and the first plate are parallel to each other to within 1 degree;and, wherein when the first and second plates are in their second,installed position, the second upper end of the second plate is angledoutwardly from the first upper end of the first plate so that the firstand second plates exhibit a spreading angle of from 2 degrees to 5degrees.

Embodiment 4 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 2-3 whereinwhen the first and second plates are in their second, installedposition, the upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly awayfrom the upper end of the first plate so that the plates exhibit a platespacing ratio of from 10 percent to 30 percent.

Embodiment 5 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 2-4 whereinwhen the first and second plates are in their first, ready position, thefirst upper head of the first plate provides an uppermost end of theanchorage assembly and a lower end of the second plate provides anlowermost end of the anchorage assembly.

Embodiment 6 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 2-5 whereinthe second plate comprises at least one-ramp-receiving window andwherein when the first and second plates are in their first, readyposition, at least a distal end portion of the at least one spreaderramp of the first plate protrudes through the at least oneramp-receiving window of the second plate.

Embodiment 7 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-6 whereinthe at least one spreader ramp of the first plate exhibits a ramp angleof from 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

Embodiment 8 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-7 whereinthe at least one spreader ramp of the first plate is integrally joinedto a main body of the first plate by an integral junction that exhibitsa radius of curvature of at least 2 mm.

Embodiment 9 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-8 whereinthe outwardly-extending flange of the first upper head of the firstplate is integrally joined to a main body of the first plate by anintegral junction that exhibits a radius of curvature of at least 5 mm.

Embodiment 10 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-9wherein the at least one spreader ramp, the outwardly-extending flange,and a main body of the first plate, from which main body the at leastone spreader ramp protrudes and from an upper end of which main body theoutwardly-extending flange extends, are all portions of a single,integral body.

Embodiment 11 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-10wherein the at least one spreader ramp of the first plate comprisesfirst and second spreader ramps that are spaced apart from each otheralong a transverse axis of the first plate and are equidistant from atransverse centerline of the first plate.

Embodiment 12 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-11wherein the first and second plates are non-separably connected to eachother by at least one retainer that passes through a first retainingaperture in a main body of the first plate and through a secondretaining aperture in a main body of the second plate, the first andsecond retaining apertures being at least generally aligned with eachother and with at least one of the apertures being a verticallyelongated slot along which the retainer is free to slidably move.

Embodiment 13 is the anchorage assembly of embodiment 12 wherein the atleast one retainer is configured to allow the main body of the secondplate to be displaced outwardly away from the main body of the firstplate while still retaining the first and second plates in aconfiguration in which they are non-separably connected to each other.

Embodiment 14 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 12-13wherein the first and second plates are non-separably connected to eachother by two retainers, the two retainers being spaced apart from eachother along a transverse axis of the first plate.

Embodiment 15 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-14wherein the anchorage assembly is configured to be installed into astrut channel and to facilitate the attachment of an item to theanchorage assembly so that the item is supported by the installedanchorage assembly.

Embodiment 16 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-15wherein the anchorage assembly is configured to allow a safety line tobe attached to the anchorage assembly by way of a first attachmentorifice in a lower portion of a main body of the first plate and asecond attachment orifice in a lower portion of a main body of thesecond plate, the attachment orifices being at least generally alignedwith each other, and being sized and shaped, to allow a fastener of asafety line to pass through the attachment orifices.

Embodiment 17 is the anchorage assembly of embodiment 16 wherein atleast one of the first and second attachment orifices is a verticallyelongated slot along which the fastener is free to slidably move.

Embodiment 18 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-17wherein the anchorage assembly comprises a lock that is engagable tolock the first and second plates in a second, installed position inwhich the second upper head of the second plate is positioned at leastgenerally at the same vertical height as the first upper head of thefirst plate and in which the upper end of the second plate is displacedoutwardly away from the upper end of the first plate by the spreaderramp, with the lock being configured so that when the lock is engaged itprevents the first and second plates from vertically slidably movingrelative to each other out of the second, installed position and into afirst, ready position in which the second upper head of the second plateis positioned lower than the first upper head of the first plate, untilthe lock is disengaged.

Embodiment 19 is the anchorage assembly of embodiment 18 wherein thelock is configured so that it automatically engages upon slidablevertical movement of the first and second plates from the first, readyposition to the second, installed position, and is configured so thatthe lock must be manually disengaged in order to allow the first andsecond plates to be slidably vertically moved from the second, installedposition to the first, ready position.

Embodiment 20 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 18-19wherein the lock comprises an elongate member that comprises a firstlongitudinal portion that passes through a keyhole aperture in one ofthe plate, the first longitudinal portion comprising anexpanded-diameter shoulder that is sized to fit within a circle portionof the keyhole aperture but that is sized too large to fit within a slotportion of the keyhole aperture, and wherein the elongate membercomprises a second portion that passes through an lock aperture in theother one of the plates.

Embodiment 21 is the anchorage assembly of embodiment 20 wherein thelock comprises a biasing element that urges the first longitudinalportion of the elongate member inward toward the keyhole slot and thaturges the second longitudinal portion of the member outward away fromthe lock aperture.

Embodiment 22 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-21wherein the first outwardly-extending flange of the first upper head ofthe first plate is configured to engage with a first lip of a strutchannel and wherein the second outwardly-extending flange of the secondupper head of the second plate is configured to engage with a second,opposing lip of the strut channel

Embodiment 23 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-22wherein the first outwardly-extending flange of the first upper head ofthe first plate comprises a first lip extending downwardly therefrom andwherein the second outwardly-extending flange of the second upper headof the second plate comprises a second lip extending downwardlytherefrom.

Embodiment 24 is the anchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-23wherein a first visual indicator is provided on an outward area of anunderside of the first outwardly-extending flange of the first upperhead of the first plate and wherein a second visual indicator isprovided on an outward area of an underside of the secondoutwardly-extending flange of the second upper head of the second plate.

Embodiment 25 is an anchorage-installation assembly comprising theanchorage assembly of any of embodiments 1-24 wherein a lower end of theanchorage assembly is fitted into a upward-facing slot of aninstallation head located at an upper end of an installation pole, theupward-facing slot being configured to receive the lower end of theanchorage assembly and to support the anchorage assembly during remoteinstallation of the anchorage assembly into a strut channel by a usergrasping a lower end of the installation pole.

Embodiment 26 is a method of installing an anchorage assembly into astrut channel, the method comprising: with first and second plates ofthe anchorage assembly in a first, ready position, inserting an upperend of the anchorage assembly into an interior of the strut channel;slidably moving the first and second plates relative to each other fromthe first, ready position into a second, installed position in which anupper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from an upperend of the first plate; and, lowering the anchorage assembly so that afirst upper head of the first plate, and a second upper head of thesecond plate, each engage a holder of the strut channel

Embodiment 27 is the method of embodiment 26 using the anchorageassembly of any embodiments 1-25.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specificexemplary elements, structures, features, details, configurations, etc.,that are disclosed herein can be modified and/or combined in numerousembodiments. All such variations and combinations are contemplated bythe inventor as being within the bounds of the conceived invention, notmerely those representative designs that were chosen to serve asexemplary illustrations. Thus, the scope of the present invention shouldnot be limited to the specific illustrative structures described herein,but rather extends at least to the structures described by the languageof the claims, and the equivalents of those structures. Any of theelements that are positively recited in this specification asalternatives may be explicitly included in the claims or excluded fromthe claims, in any combination as desired. Any of the elements orcombinations of elements that are recited in this specification inopen-ended language (e.g., comprise and derivatives thereof), areconsidered to additionally be recited in closed-ended language (e.g.,consist and derivatives thereof) and in partially closed-ended language(e.g., consist essentially, and derivatives thereof). To the extent thatthere is any conflict or discrepancy between this specification aswritten and the disclosure in any document that is incorporated byreference herein but to which no priority is claimed, this specificationas written will control.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing an anchorage assembly intoa strut channel, the method comprising: with first and second plates ofthe anchorage assembly in a first, ready position, inserting an upperend of the anchorage assembly into an interior of the strut channel;slidably moving the first and second plates relative to each other fromthe first, ready position into a second, installed position in which asecond upper end of the second plate is displaced outwardly away from afirst upper end of the first plate; and, lowering the anchorage assemblyso that a first upper head of the first plate, and a second upper headof the second plate, each engage a holder of the strut channel
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein when the method comprises slidably moving thefirst and second plates relative to each other out of the first, readyposition in directions that are respectively parallel to the first plateand the second plate.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the process ofslidably moving the first and second plates relative to each other fromthe first, ready position into the second, installed position comprisesmoving the second plate relative to the first plate while the firstplate remains stationary.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the methodcomprises moving the anchorage assembly upward until the first upper endof the first plate contacts a ceiling of the strut channel so that thefirst plate is brought to a halt, and then pushing upward on the secondplate to move the second plate relative to the first plate while thefirst plate remains stationary.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein theoutward displacing of the second upper end of the second plate from thefirst upper end of the first plate as the first and second plates areslidably moved relative to each other from the first, ready positioninto the second, installed position, is caused by the impinging of thesecond plate on at least one spreader ramp that is positioned in anupper portion of the first plate.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein whenthe first and second plates are in their first, ready position, thefirst and second plates are both oriented at least substantiallyvertically and are vertically slidably movable relative to each otherbetween the first, ready position and the second, installed position,wherein when the first and second plates are in the first, readyposition a second upper head of the second plate is positioned lowerthan a first upper head of the first plate; and, wherein when the firstand second plates are in the second, installed position, the secondupper head of the second plate is positioned at least generally at thesame vertical height as the first upper head of the first plate.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein when the first and second plates are in theirfirst, ready position the second plate and the first plate are parallelto each other to within 1 degree; and, wherein when the first and secondplates are in their second, installed position, the second upper end ofthe second plate is angled outwardly from the first upper end of thefirst plate so that the first and second plates exhibit a spreadingangle of from 2 degrees to 5 degrees.
 8. The method of claim 1 whereinwhen the first and second plates are in their second, installedposition, the second upper end of the second plate is displacedoutwardly away from the first upper end of the first plate so that theplates exhibit a plate spacing ratio of from 10 percent to 30 percent.9. The method of claim 1 wherein when the first and second plates are intheir first, ready position, the first upper head of the first plateprovides an uppermost end of the anchorage assembly and a lower end ofthe second plate provides a lowermost end of the anchorage assembly. 10.The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second plates arenon-separably connected to each other by at least one retainer thatpasses through a first retaining aperture in a main body of the firstplate and through a second retaining aperture in a main body of thesecond plate, the first and second retaining apertures being at leastgenerally aligned with each other and with at least one of the aperturesbeing a vertically elongated slot along which the retainer is free toslidably move to allow the first and second plates to be slidably movedrelative to each other.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprisingattaching a safety line to the anchorage assembly by way of a firstattachment orifice in a lower portion of a main body of the first plateand a second attachment orifice in a lower portion of a main body of thesecond plate, the attachment orifices being at least generally alignedwith each other, and being sized and shaped, to allow a fastener of thesafety line to pass through the first and second attachment orifices.12. The method of claim 1 further comprising engaging a lock that locksthe first and second plates in the second, installed position, the lockbeing configured so that when the lock is engaged it prevents the firstand second plates from slidably moving relative to each other out of thesecond, installed position.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the lockis configured so that it automatically engages upon the slidablemovement of the first and second plates into the second, installedposition, and wherein the lock is configured so that the lock must bemanually disengaged in order to allow the first and second plates to beslidably moved out of the second, installed position.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the first upper head of the first plate comprises afirst flange that extends outwardly in a first direction and wherein thesecond upper head of the second plate comprises a second flange thatextends outwardly in a second, opposite direction.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the first outwardly-extending flange of the first upperhead of the first plate comprises a first lip extending downwardlytherefrom and wherein the second outwardly-extending flange of thesecond upper head of the second plate comprises a second lip extendingdownwardly therefrom, and wherein the first and secondoutwardly-extending flanges and the first and second lips are allelongate with a long axis that is aligned with a transverse axis of theanchorage assembly and with a long axis of the strut channel
 16. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the method includes a preliminary step offitting a lower end of the anchorage assembly onto an installation headlocated at an upper end of an installation pole, and wherein the methodcomprises grasping the installation pole and using the installation poleto support and manipulate the anchorage assembly during installation ofthe anchorage assembly into the strut channel
 17. The method of claim 1further comprising attaching an item to the anchorage assembly so thatthe item is supported by the installed anchorage assembly.
 18. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the first plate and the second plate are eachmade of stainless steel.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the firstplate and the second plate are each made of an organic polymeric resin.20. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second plates remaintransversely aligned with each other during the entire process ofinstalling the anchorage assembly into the strut channel.